Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) NOVELLA

Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) 'Novella'

A highly resistant Russian variety with large fruits and high yield.

'Novella' (Новелла) is a modern Russian sour cherry variety, specially bred for high resistance to major fungal diseases such as shot hole disease and moniliosis. In addition to its excellent health, it is characterized by high yield and large, almost black fruits with a good sweet-tart flavour. It is a reliable variety suitable for areas with higher infection pressure.

Main advantages of the variety:

• High resistance to shot hole disease and moniliosis.
• High and regular yield.
• Large, almost black fruits (up to 5.0 g).
• Fruits are resistant to cracking.
• The stone separates easily from the flesh.
• Simultaneous ripening facilitates harvesting.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Russia
• Breeders: A. F. Kolesnikova, E. N. Dzhigadlo, O. D. Golyaeva, A. A. Gulyaeva
• Institution: All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK)
• Crossing: ‘Rossoshanskaya’ × ‘Vozrozhdenie №1’
• Registration: Included in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2001.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium-vigorous, grows to a height of 3 m.
• Crown: Globular, spreading, upright.
• Fruiting habit: Bears fruit on bouquet spurs and on last year's shoots.
• Pollination: It is partially self-fertile.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Large, with a weight of 4.5 – 5.0 g.
• Shape and colour: Broadly round, oblate, almost black.
• Flesh and juice: The flesh is dark red, medium firm. The juice is dark red.
• Flavour: Good, juicy, sweet-tart (rating 4.2/5).
• Stone: Small (0.15 g), easily separable from the flesh.
• Use: Versatile.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High (tree), medium (flower buds).
• Disease resistance: Highly resistant to shot hole disease and moniliosis.
• Cracking resistance: Fruits are resistant to cracking.

Cultivation Recommendations

• To ensure a high yield, it is advisable to plant a pollinator nearby, for example, the 'Shokoladnitsa' variety.
• Planting in locations protected from late spring frosts is recommended to prevent damage to the flower buds.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-early (July 15–20).
• Harvest characteristics: Ripening is simultaneous.
• Yield: High.
• Entry into bearing: 4th year after planting.